Instructor: Mike Hernandez
Medium: Gouache, Acrylic or Oil
Dates: October 17–18, 2026 (Sat-Sun)
This 2-day ONLINE workshop will be from 1 pm to 7 pm EST with an hour break at 3 pm.
Skill Level: Appropriate for all levels
Fee: $325
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One of the biggest differences between a painting that simply depicts a scene and one that truly engages the viewer is thoughtful design and composition.
In this two-day live Zoom workshop, Mike Hernandez will help you look beyond the individual objects in a scene and learn to see the big picture—how shapes, values, colors, edges, and focal points work together to create a strong and compelling painting.
You’ll learn how to simplify complex subjects into clear, readable shapes and organize those shapes so the viewer’s eye moves naturally through the painting. Mike will demonstrate how to establish a strong focal point, create visual hierarchy, and use the surrounding elements to support rather than compete with the main subject.
We’ll explore the relationship between design and composition—where composition deals with the arrangement of elements, while design considers how all of those elements work together to create balance, rhythm, unity, variety, and visual interest.
Mike will also show you how to make intentional decisions rather than simply copying what you see. You’ll learn when to move, simplify, exaggerate, eliminate, or even invent elements within a scene to create a stronger painting. His approach encourages you to think like a painter and designer, not just an observer.
Through demonstrations, practical exercises, and individual feedback, you’ll explore:
- Creating strong, simple shape designs
- Establishing a clear focal point and visual hierarchy
- Using value patterns to organize a painting
- Creating depth through overlapping shapes, perspective, and color
- Using light and shadow to strengthen the design
- Understanding color relationships and their role in creating depth
- Creating rhythm, repetition, and movement within a composition
- Knowing what to leave out—and what to emphasize
- Making deliberate changes to a reference to create a more successful painting
Whether you’re painting a landscape, city scene, still life, or something completely imagined, these principles apply to virtually any subject.
The goal isn’t to give you a set of rules to follow. It’s to help you develop the visual judgment to recognize what makes a painting work—and the confidence to make those decisions yourself.
Mike’s approachable teaching style makes these concepts accessible and practical. By the end of the workshop, you’ll have a stronger understanding of how to design a painting from the very beginning, giving your work greater clarity, impact, and visual appeal.
NOTES
- Participants may use any preferred painting medium, while Mike will be demonstrating using gouache & Photoshop.
- This 2-day ONLINE workshop will be recorded and available for 30 days after the workshop. 9 am to 4 pm PST with an hour break at noon. (Noon to 7 pm EST) The class will be conducted on Zoom, allowing students to engage with Mike, observe live studio demonstrations, and receive guidance and limited feedback.
- Access information for the class will be provided the week before the workshop.
- A microphone and camera-equipped computer, an iPad/tablet, or a smartphone (Android or iOS) with internet connectivity are required to participate.
A native of Los Angeles, California, Mike Hernandez is a nationally recognized painter and sought-after workshop instructor whose work bridges the worlds of plein air painting, illustration, and visual storytelling. Working primarily in gouache, oil, and acrylic, Mike has developed a distinctive approach to painting that combines strong design, confident brushwork, and a deep understanding of light and color.
Mike’s passion for painting began as a young child, when he spent hours creating still-life paintings. Inspired by artists such as Edgar Payne, Joaquín Sorolla, and Franz Bischoff, he became fascinated with the way great painters could transform ordinary subjects through color, light, and design. Today, he continues that pursuit, finding beauty and inspiration in both the natural and built environments—from the rugged landscapes of the Eastern Sierra to the industrial edges and concrete banks of the Los Angeles River.
Mike earned his B.A. from ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California, in 1998. His professional career has included extensive work in the animation industry, where he served as a Production Designer, Art Director, and Concept Artist at DreamWorks Animation. His credits include major productions such as Shrek, How to Train Your Dragon, Turbo, and Penguins of Madagascar, among many others. His years in animation have had a profound influence on his approach to painting, particularly his ability to simplify complex scenes, create compelling compositions, and communicate an idea quickly through shape, value, color, and light.
Today, Mike devotes much of his time to fine art and teaching. His paintings have been featured in galleries and publications, and his work is widely admired for its strong design, sophisticated use of color, and ability to find extraordinary beauty in everyday subjects.
Mike is also a member of PAPA (Plein Air Painters of America), a select organization representing some of the finest plein air painters in the United States. As a workshop instructor, he is known for his relaxed and approachable teaching style, making complex concepts such as composition, perspective, color, and light accessible to artists of all levels.
Whether painting a sweeping landscape or an overlooked corner of an urban environment, Mike’s goal remains the same: to see beyond the subject and create a painting that captures its light, mood, and essential character.
